REGULATION ON LIVE ANIMAL TRANSPORT

RESOLUTION 3

Background
The Federation of European Aquaculture Producers is aware of different attitudes and positions concerning the application of hormones in fish production. The FEAP does not condone the use of hormones as growth promoting agents. However, there are situations where the use of hormones for specific control purposes, such as creating monosex populations (e.g. for trout) or inducing reproductive behaviour (e.g. for carps), are essential tools for the profession. In addition, to enable research to find the appropriate solutions for closing the life-cycle of new species for aquaculture, the use of hormones is essential.
Resolution
The Federation of European Aquaculture Producers recommends that the European Commission provide clear, written instructions to Member States on the application of hormones for specific control purposes, where the production of monosex populations as described in Council Directive 96/22/EC is allowed, and the application of the cascade principle in Council Directive 2004/28/EC gives access to unlicensed products for this purpose.
In addition, it is essential that products for the successful induction of reproductive behaviour in fish, such as the cyprinid species, be made available to the European fish farming profession.

RESOLUTION 4

CONSULTATION WITH THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION ON FISH HEALTH

Background
The Federation of European Aquaculture Producers is very satisfied as to the manner in which the Working Group on Aquaculture of the Advisoty Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture was consulted on the preparation of Council Directive 2006/88/EC on Animal health requirements for aquaculture animals and products thereof, and on the prevention and control of diseases in aquatic animals. The FEAP recognises that the main contributing factor to this was the establishment of a professional relationship of high quality with the responsible officials within DG SANCO. The FEAP wishes therefore that this relationship continue and be formalised.
Resolution
The Federation of European Aquaculture Producers recommends that a formal working relationship be established between DG SANCO and the FEAP so that ongoing consultation on matters pertaining to fish health can be maintained.

RESOLUTION 5

Background
The Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) is extremely concemed about the negative effects of Article 6 (Measures concerning restocking) in the proposed Council Regulation [COM (2005) 472 final] on establishing measures for recovery of the stock of the European Eel.
The FEAP is deeply concerned about the continued decline of the European eel stocks throughout Europe. In line with other parties, it fears that the natural eel stocks are under serious threat of extinction.
The FEAP believes that the European Commission is aware that genuine success of eel restocking actions depends significantly on using aquaculture as an intermediate step. This is due to the fact that small eels caught along the European coastline will have a low survival rate when restocked directly, whereas the survival rate is significantly higher when small eels have been nursed for several weeks, in an aquaculture facility, before restocking.
However, the FEAP fears that the present wording of Article 6 will result in a massive export of small eels for the Asian aquaculture industry, leaving the European eel farming sector in severe disarray.
If the European eel farming sector is badly affected, the existing specialised facilities will disappear leaving no farms or capacity for the nursing activity required for restocking. In addition, the supply of farmed eels to the European market would disappear, which would result in an increased fishery effort for wild eels, thereby enhancing the threat of extinction of the
European eel.
In addition, the FEAP supports the promotion of RTD funding on the reproductive biology of the eel which could also make a long-term contribution to stabilising the position described.
Resolution
The Federation of European Aquaculture Producers resolves, in order to secure the recovery of the European eel stock and, at the same time, the existence of the European eel farming sector, that the Commission reserve a determined quantity of small eels for aquaculture. This should be made under the restriction that a specified percentage of these eels will be nursed and restocked under conditions to be identified.
The FEAP recommends that an open dialogue with the European Commission, concerning the role of aquaculture in the eel recovery plan, is a necessity, so as to obtain the maximum effect from the restocking of small eels and that the role of aquaculture should be included within the eel recovery plan.
In a broader sense, the FEAP feels that more attention should be given to the potential contribution of aquaculture techniques in the protection and enhancement of wild fishery stocks.